That was reflected in his grades. By the end of his freshman year, he had a 1.8 GPA — well below average.

But a teacher Holguin met that year — Manuel Mendoza — ignited a major turnaround in his life. And now thanks to Holguin, the 58-year-old Mendoza, a Spanish teacher at Gadsden High, is being recognized nationally for his dedication to students.

A teacher's persistence

A Las Cruces resident, Mendoza has taught for more than two decades at Gadsden High; it happened that he also taught Spanish to Holguin's mother, uncles and aunt when they attended the same school.

At first, Holguin said he wasn't engaged much in Mendoza's class. He sat in the back and kept to himself. But Mendoza was hard to ignore, Holguin said.

“He won't take 'no' as an answer; if you're not doing his work, he'll push you and push you until you do your work.”

Gabriel Holguin

He said his teacher went to great lengths to get lessons across. He sometimes bought food, like breakfast burritos, for students on testing days to make sure they were well-energized. And Holguin said Mendoza began encouraging him to improve his grades.

"He won't take 'no' as an answer; if you're not doing his work, he'll push you and push you until you do your work," Holguin said. "He'd go to every one of my teachers to see how I could get my grades up. He gave his time up after school so he could tutor me and make sure I could get my grades up."

By the end of the year, Holguin's GPA was still low, but he felt like, with his mindset, he'd turned a corner. Thanks to Mendoza, Holguin said he felt more encouraged and optimistic about high school.

Holguin said he enrolled in Alta Vista Early College High School for a while and then Anthony Charter School, where he attended until December 2017. He then transferred to Alma d'Arte charter school in Las Cruces, where he currently attends. He's a senior set to graduate in May with a 3.6 GPA.

Holguin said it took a lot of hard work on his part to make up lost ground. He took summer classes and online classes. But he credits Mendoza, who still teaches at Gadsden High, for the inspiration and the tenacity to keep going through difficult times.

"He wanted me to give it my all," he said.

Roots in Mexico

Mendoza himself overcame his share of challenges growing up. He was born in Mexico in 1960, and ended up one of 11 children in his family. He attended grade school, and a teacher in third grade believed she saw potential in him. As such, she called upon him to substitute teach math to his school's kindergarten or first-grade class from time to time.

Gabriel Holguin, left, a student at Alma d'Arte Charter High School, nominated his former teacher, Manuel Mendoza, for national recognition through a nonprofit called Honored. And Mendoza was selected as the April 2018 honoree.(Photo: Lance Murphey for Honored)

At first, Mendoza said, he was unsure about the proposal. But his teacher guided him through the process. And he loved it.

"I said: 'This is great. I want to do this; I want to be a teacher,'" he said.

Also, the same teacher left him with motivational messages. "The most important thing she taught me was I could do something, and I could be someone," he said.

In December 1974, his parents moved him to the United States. It was snowing when he and an uncle arrived in Chicago. Mendoza had never seen snow, except on television. The next month, at age 15, he began attending junior high school. He didn't know English, so the transition was difficult.

But his mother only reaffirmed the family's decision to relocate to the United States in search of better opportunities. So, Mendoza didn't move back to his home country after all. He said he changed his outlook, instead trying to determine how to succeed in school despite the language barrier.

'It's OK to make mistakes'

Learning English posed plenty of difficulties. The first school Mendoza attended had a program for English language learners but it was soon halted. He then began attending another school with resources to help immigrants. By simply continuing to try, he said he was able to make strides. It's a lesson Mendoza attempts to emphasize to his high school students today.

“If you tried and you didn't do well, you try again.”

Manuel Mendoza, a Spanish teacher at Gadsden High

"If you tried and you didn't do well, you try again," he said. "And it's OK to make mistakes."

At Harrison Technical High School in Chicago, Mendoza ran cross country. One of his coaches would often tell students "no pain, no gain," "go the extra mile," and other inspirational quotes. Mendoza took the messages to heart and said he adopted the practice in his own career. He routinely shares similar tidbits of wisdom with his students.

After graduating high school in 1980, Mendoza enrolled in college at Chicago State University. He did well in math, the specialty he was pursuing. But he was at a disadvantage with his English skills, having learned the language later than other students. In late 1983, upon the advice of a friend, he opted to apply to the University of Illinois, which had a program tailored to international students. In 1984, he received an acceptance letter and switched universities. He shifted his focus from becoming a math teacher to becoming a foreign languages teacher. He graduated in 1988 with his bachelor's degree.

Reaching Las Cruces

He met and married his wife, who was pursuing her doctorate in linguistics at the same university. She suggested Mendoza pursue his master's degree, and he did. The two graduated the same year — 1995 — with their respective degrees. His wife took a job offer at New Mexico State University, and the couple relocated to Las Cruces. They fell in love with the area.

"We always felt this was our second home," Mendoza said.

In the fall of 1996, Mendoza began teaching high school Spanish and AP Spanish in the Gadsden Independent School District, commuting to Anthony, N.M., during the school year. It's a job he's held ever since. And it was how he came to meet Holguin, two decades into his tenure at the school.

A nomination sent

In recent months, Holguin was researching information online about attending college. He began thinking about Mendoza's contributions and was wondering if there was a way for him to be recognized formally. Holguin stumbled upon an organization called Honored. It's a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit whose main mission is to recognize teachers for the positive work they do.

Holguin decided, spur of the moment, to submit Mendoza's name for consideration. Along with that, Holguin had to write an essay. It was an early-morning endeavor, and because of that, he doubted it would be successful.

"I started the essay about 3 in the morning and finished about 5:30 in the morning," he said. "I didn't think it was going to get this far. Who writes a good essay at 3 in the morning?"

Plus, Anthony, N.M. — home to Gadsden High — is a small town that Holguin thought might easily be overlooked. But Honored officials soon contacted him to tell him Mendoza was under consideration to be selected from applications throughout the nation as April 2018's honoree.

Manuel Mendoza, right, a Spanish teacher at Gadsden High School, talks with former student Gabriel Holguin on a recent day at Gadsden High. (Photo: Lance Murphey for Honored)

'Above and beyond'

Karen Sonneborn, co-founder of Honored, said after receiving Holguin's nomination, the organization reached out to school administrators in January as part of a vetting process. The school's principal, Hector Giron, gave a glowing review. And Holguin was selected as the April award recipient.

"He goes above and beyond," she said. "We're so excited to give him this honor."

In addition to the recognition, Honored will issue a $5,000 check to Mendoza. It's unrestricted, so he can spend it as he chooses. Also, an 1,800-word article about him, written by an editor of the L.A. Times, published April 1 on the organization's website.

Sonneborn said the organization's aim is to encourage teachers to stay in the profession and to inspire other people to join the profession.

"We're totally nonpartisan; we just want to honor great teachers anywhere," she said.

'Shocked and happy'

Mendoza said he learned in late January that he was selected as an Honored awardee. A fellow teacher shared the news one morning at school. At first, Mendoza said he was in disbelief.

“This is a very special recognition. I know there are so many great teachers out there.”

Manuel Mendoza, Spanish teacher at Gadsden High

"I was shocked and happy at the same time," he said.

Honored received hundreds of applications each month. The organization launched about a year ago, and Mendoza will be the 13th honoree.

He's also the first teacher selected from New Mexico. As part of the award, he'll receive a $1,000 DonorsChoose.org gift card, money available to be spent on classroom projects.

Mendoza recalls that Holguin was a "sharp" student in his class. Also, Mendoza tried to prod him to improve his academics. But Mendoza didn't realize he had such an impact on his former student. He said he's "humbled" Holguin thought to nominate him and that Honored selected him.

"This is a very special recognition," he said. "I know there are so many great teachers out there. I guess my student could have selected someone else."

A love for teaching

Holguin has been admitted to New Mexico State University, where he plans to attend this fall. And he wants to become a social studies and history teacher. Eventually, he'd like to become a school principal. Holguin still views Mendoza as a mentor and still keeps in touch with him.

“He said teachers aren't supposed to teach to get recognized. They're supposed to teach because they love it.”

Gabriel Holguin

Holguin said Mendoza downplays the spotlight he's now found himself in.

"He said teachers aren't supposed to teach to get recognized," Holguin said. "They're supposed to teach because they love it. He told me his only goal he wants to see is seeing his students graduate."

Mendoza credits his success to the teachers who inspired him throughout his life. He wants to do the same for his own students at Gadsden High, many of whom face numerous challenges such as poverty and language barriers.

"If it weren't for my teachers, I wouldn't be what I am," he said.

Nominating a teacher

Sonneborn said people wanting to nominate a teacher for the recognition may do so at the organization's website, honored.org.

The organization allows current or former students — and parents on behalf of students, particularly young children — to submit nominations.